Debris removal company confident in midst of AG's investigation

The Attorney General's Office is looking into allegations that AshBritt and two other companies have been charging too much or working too slowly on debris pickup efforts.

Both Collier County and the City of Naples are contracted with AshBritt.

But AshBritt's founder said he thinks the investigation will show they've done nothing wrong.

Not only is debris an eye-sore, but it's also dangerous.

"Your'e just so scared, with all the debris and not being able to see," Naples resident Karen Madwar said.

AshBritt crews are going through the painstaking work of picking up debris street by street. Founder and chairman Randy Perkins said it's a lot to juggle.

"We've got challenges in this state of monumental proportions, and it's not getting solved tomorrow," Perkins said.

He's referring to the millions of cubic yards of debris and a shortage of equipment.

This week the Attorney General's office announced it is investigating AshBritt and two other companies for price gouging and operating too slow in the aftermath of Irma.

When asked if those allegations are true, Perkins said, "I'm confident that when this investigation's over, and it could take a long time, but our company will be found that we've done everything above ground, ethical, and we'll be fine at the end of the day."

Residents like Joe Cant are trying to be patient.

"Eventually it'll get picked up. It's a monumental task it's not just our street," he said.

The lucky ones welcome the sight of AshBritt trucks on their street.

"This is probably the best day since post Irma," Madwar said.

NBC2 was told that AshBritt is paid by the cubic yard they dump.

AshBritt said in their contract with Collier County and Naples that price is about $8 a cubic yard.